What I’m Into (March and April rolled into one!)

I completely missed doing one of these posts in March, and by the time I had a moment to write the post, it was mid-April.

So then I decided that it just made more sense to wait and do two months rolled into one.

What I Read

The BFG

My kids have all read (and loved) this Roald Dahl book, but I’d never read it (though I always loved many of Dahl’s other books).   When we heard that a BFG movie was coming, Mr. FG and I decided that we needed to read the book.

So, now I’m all ready for the movie.

So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed

A look at the way shaming works in our internet culture.   It made me realize that it’s kind of a double-edged sword, the way the internet allows us to be a horde of shamers.   Sometimes, this ability can be used for good, but other times, we end up villifying people over things that really aren’t that big of a deal.

The internet is such an enabling platform for our self-righteous rage.

The Light Between Oceans

I thought this was a really well-written novel.

And by that I mean that when you read it, you end up thinking very little about how well the story was written.   I think that’s the sign of a good writer.   They’re so skilled, you barely notice while you’re reading!

Big Little Lies

I felt the same way about this book…the writing makes you get caught right up into the story.   It’s kind of a heavy story (thought with lots of lighthearted bits woven in), and domestic abuse is part of the storyline, so, fair warning there.

The Secret Keeper

I wasn’t nearly as big a fan of this novel, largely because the writing just seemed forced.   I felt like I was reading a novel on the level of something that I could write.

(And since I’m not a fiction writer, that’s the opposite of a compliment.)

I finished it, but I’m not remotely inclined to check out more books by the author.

(Want to know something hilarious?   I heard Anne Bogel recommend The Secret Keeper on her podcast, so I checked this out and the whole time I was reading it, I thought, “Wow, it is SO weird that Anne likes this book.”   And now I’ve realized she recommended a different book by the same name.   Ha.   The correct one is now on hold at the library and I have much higher hopes for that one.)

Daring Greatly

I’ve read this before, but I really thought I needed a re-read.   I remember feeling like Brene’s message hit me last time, but this time around, I was in a better place to accurately see myself in her writing.

Auggie and Me

This is a companion book to Wonder, which I wrote about a while back.   I love how the author transforms her writing style so that you really do feel like you’re hearing from a kid.

Of note: I’m not sure if I’m still supposed to hate Julian’s parents after reading this, but I kind of do.   Geez.

What I Watched

Nothin’.   Pretty sure I haven’t watched any TV/movies in the last two months.

What I Listened To

Well.   I listened to an episode of Anne Bogel’s What Should I Read Next podcast, which is why I checked out several of the books in the What I Read portion of this post.

Anne’s podcast is a great place to get book ideas, although I don’t think I will ever have enough time to read all the books she recommends!   Just a podcast or two keeps me busy for a while.

I’ve also been intermittently listening to music by Peter Hollens.   He does some neat a capella songs, and I really dig his version of Loch Lomond.

Also, Joshua’s taking Music Appreciation this semester, which means the classical radio station has been on in the car a lot more.   As a result, we’ve discovered that Frederick Delius’ Florida Suite is pretty awesome, especially Daybreak.

Goal Updates

To recap, so far this year I’ve wanted to:

• Cook once a month with each one of my kids (January)
• Stretch 5 days a week (February)
• Track my time every week day (March)

I didn’t do a goal post at the end of March, so April is rather forlornly sitting there with no goal.

But it’s just as well, because I’m still having trouble keeping up with the first three goals for this year!

So, for May, I don’t think I’m going to add a new goal; I’m just going to try to actually complete my first three goal for a month.   😉

To help me with the cooking goal, I’m going to plan a month of meals at the beginning of May and pencil in a kid-cooking session each week.   If I write it down, I’m more likely to do it.

To help me with the stretching goal, I’m printing out the May calendar from Craft Street and taping it to my bedroom wall.   My stretching mat is in my bedroom, so having the goal calendar taped to my office wall wasn’t working.   I’d see it and then completely forget about it by the time I got into the bedroom.

To help me with the time-tracking, I’m going to lay out a paper and pen each night before I go to bed.   That way I won’t have to remember in the morning.

I’ll report back at the end of May to let you know if my new strategies helped me or not.

And that wraps up this two-month edition of What I’m Into!